Two Step and Rabbit Dances

Long ago, when Indian Nations met at council fires, social dances for couples followed. The Two Step is a general dance where visitors are welcome. Two lead dancers, as a couple, guide other pairs of male and female dancers who follow them around the dance area.

Traditionally, the Two Step and Rabbit Dances are "ladies choice" dances where women ask the men to dance. In more traditional times, if a man refused a woman's dance request, he would pay restitution for the insult. In modern times, some emcees will set a restitution fee of five dollars. Either way, a man's refusal was considered bad luck.According to the legend of the Rabbit Dance, a man's refusal could cause him to turn into a rabbit!

The simple steps and bouncing motions make it a popular and fun social dance. Notice that the couples join hands, arm over arm, and step side-by-side around the dance circle to the lively beat of the dance.

Crow Hop

The Crow Hop originated from Western Tribes. It, too, is a social dance meant to mimic the crow as he bounces around the field. One legend states that the crow brought fire to our land to keep our ancestors alive through the cold winter. Dancers imitate bird-like movements, hopping sideto-side, first on one foot and then on the other.

Shake Dance

Also a Western tribal dance, the Shake Dance is another fun social dance. The drum imitates a "shaking" sound, while the dancers imitate the movements of the prairie chicken. Watch as the dancers "fluff their feathers" to "shake off the sand."

Snake Dance

Algonquian Woodland tribes profess that the Snake Dance tells the story of life. Dancers demonstrate the life cycle of a snake, from the time its life begins, through the next four stages of its life cycle, until its final stage of entering the Spirit World. Look at the dancers join hands and follow the lead dancers, moving rhythmically in snake-like motions.

Round Dance

Easily considered the most popular of the social dances, the Round Dance is a circle dance derived from earlier tribal Friendship Dances. Today, it is performed as an "open" Friendship Dance in which everyone, including visitors, may participate, whether in powwow dress or plain clothes. The Round Dance is usually performed near the end of each dance session. Be sure to join us in the dance area as we clasp hands in friendship to form several large circles representing all people of the Earth.

Native American Specialty Dances

Ribbon Dance

The Ribbon Dance is one of the Specialty Dances performed at powwows. It is beautiful, in part because of the long, colorful ribbons which are intertwined throughout the dance. More importantly, the dance portrays the Native American wedding ceremony.

The dance begins with three couples. Each of the women carries a different colored ribbon. The first woman carries a red ribbon which represents the men of the tribe. The second woman holds a blue ribbon which symbolizes the women of the tribe. The third woman carries a yellow ribbon representing the Great Spirit. When the drum starts, the three couples separate into different directions, only to meet together at the center of the dance circle.

The men face the women and take one end of their partners' ribbon. Then, the men braid the three ribbons together to symbolize the coming together of a man and a woman with the blessing of the Great Spirit. The ribbons are then unbraided and encircled about the waists of the women. The women must unwrap themselves, turning to each of the four directions of the world - north, east, south, and west. Finally, the men return the ribbons to the women, the couples separate, and they dance their way out of the circle.

Spear and Shield Dance

As two male warriors enter the dance circle, they face one another to measure each other's courage. They separate to stalk and challenge. A shield is used to thwart attacks from the spear of the opponent. This is a battle to the death, and only one warrior will survive. The best warrior does a final dance to honor his opponent's courage and to celebrate his victory.